New Method to Tackle Underage Driking

Glass of Beer

The Heywood Pub and Club network has got together with Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester Police to launch a wristband scheme aimed at preventing underage drinking.

Under the scheme, door staff in Heywood will ask anyone who looks under 21 for identification before allowing them into their premises.  If they can provide a passport, driving licence, Portman Prove It Card or a local Heywood Trading Standards proof of age card, they will be given a brightly coloured wristband to show they are old enough to enter the premises and buy alcohol from the bar.  People without identification will be turned away and prevented from entering.

Most venues in Heywood have agreed to participate in the scheme, which has been financed by Heywood Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, meaning that customers are free to move between venues using the same wristband.

Rochdale Council's Gaynor Emerson, Community Safety officer for Heywood said: "The partnership funded the scheme when approached by Heywood pub and club watch a few months ago.  They saw it as an opportunity to support and encourage this newly formed group to promote a safer environment for people who wish to enjoy a night out and to discourage underage drinking."

GMP's Sergeant Paula Watson from Heywood police station said: "We aim to make life a lot harder for underage people trying to get into pubs and clubs in Heywood. If they look under twenty-one and have no identification then they will simply be turned away.

"This great thing about this scheme is that it will bring down underage drinking in Heywood, while making life easier for those who are old enough to buy alcohol but are blessed with younger looks. Once they have shown valid identification to door staff, they can then go into the venue and enjoy their night out without being constantly asked for I.D.

"Heywood's Pub and Club Network has been very supportive of the idea and virtually every licensee in the town has agreed to issue wristbands to younger looking customers. This is particularly useful at Christmas as the town can become really busy."

GMP is currently running a 'Think Safe Drink Safe This Christmas' campaign across Greater Manchester to prevent alcohol-related crime and encourage people to have a safe night out.